Anticancer effects of Chinese herbal medicine, science or myth?

Abstract

Abstract:Currently there is considerable interest among oncologists to find anticancer drugs in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). In the past, clinical data showed that some herbs possessed anticancer properties, but western scientists have doubted the scientific validity of CHM due to the lack of scientific evidence from their perspective. Recently there have been encouraging results, from a western perspective, in the cancer research field regarding the anticancer effects of CHM. Experiments showed that CHM played its anticancer role by inducing apoptosis and differentiation, enhancing the immune system, inhibiting angiogenesis, reversing multidrug resistance (MDR), etc. Clinical trials demonstrated that CHM could improve survival, increase tumor response, improve quality of life, or reduce chemotherapy toxicity, although much remained to be determined regarding the objective effects of CHM in human in the context of clinical trials. Interestingly, both laboratory experiments and clinical trials have demonstrated that when combined with chemotherapy, CHM could raise the efficacy level and lower toxic reactions. These facts raised the feasibility of the combination of herbal medicines and chemotherapy, although much remained to be investigated in this area.

Baicalin induces human mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

“…inducing apoptosis of the cancer cells, enhancing the immune system, inducing cell differentiation, and inhibiting telomerase activities and the growth of tumors [5]. In addition, a growing number of researches demonstrate that some traditional Chinese medicines might enhance the anticancer activities of adjuvant therapies, and reduce their toxic side effects [6].…”

Targeting of growth factors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: The potentials of polysaccharides

“…Furthermore, synthetic polysaccharides are often used in association with chemotherapy (60)(61)(62). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and certain herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of cancer for thousands of years in China, Japan and South Korea, as well as some other Asian countries (63). As adjunct anticancer agents, TCMs can have important anticancer roles in inducing apoptosis and differentiation, improving the immune system, inhibiting angiogenesis, and also in increasing the sensitivity to and reducing the side effects of chemotherapeutics, and improving patient survival time (64).…”

Key Plants in Fighting Cancer in the Middle East

“…Additionally, it is used to strengthen the bodies of infants and elderly people during and after recovery from disease [31]. The dandelion works against cancer by inducing apoptosis and differentiation, enhancing the immune system, inhibiting angiogenesis, and reversing multidrug resistance, and improves survival, increases tumor response and quality of life, and reduces chemotherapy toxicity [32].…”